It’s new shirt time, everybody! I’m really excited to officially launch Kafkacotton’s new On the Road t-shirt inspired by Jack Kerouac’s classic novel. The community overwhelmingly voted for this design so here it is:
You may recognize the font – it’s derived from the Underwood Portable typewriter Kerouac used in his marathon, three-week writing session.
I captured the image of the lone firework during the first moments of the 2010 new year while walking a beach in Florida.
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Special Discount
In case you need another reason to slap this design on your chest, here’s a special 15% off coupon code good for the next 7 days until Kerouac’s birthday on Friday, March 12: “KEROUACWASHERE”
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As with all Kafkacotton shirts:
You get a risk-free 45 day money-back guarantee so that, if you don’t like it, we’ll refund the entire cost including return shipping.
We donate 5% of our proceeds to help fight illiteracy because everyone deserves the chance to read.
If Kerouac or my design don’t do it for you, don’t feel bad about not ordering! Feel free to check out Gregor’s new video, our other shirts, or follow us for updates. (And if you want to tell your friends about us – which would be awesome – you can use this button):
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“Hitchhiking Without Thumbs”
In honor of the new Kerouac shirt, Gregor, our ever-faithful, illiterate cockroach tried his cockroachy hand at hitchhiking. If only Alabama’s finest hadn’t gotten involved…
Louisiana residents were blessed with seeing Gregor twice on the telly the other week. Both CBS and ABC came down to Louisiana State University to see what Gregor was up to:
ABC WBRZ
Notice how the guy is actually speechless at the end of the clip! They had to record some audio later which is why his mouth isn’t moving. Gregor effected him.
CBS WAFB
I think this lady had been waiting all night to say, “A six-foot cockroach!!?!” She seems pretty amused.
The final video from Louisiana is come. Gregor discovers there’s a man-eating tiger at Louisiana State University and sets out to find it! Also: hippy guitarists, rocking out to “It’s Tiger Time” in Hokkien, tigers in the trees, and … eating pee.
(For everybody that doesn’t know, “Mike” is LSU’s mascot. He’s pretty.)
And finally, the winners of the 3 free shirts are …
Mark Redmond
Jeanne Coleman
Melissa Burd
Congrats, guys! I’ll send y’all a Facebook message about how to get your shirt. If you weren’t a winner this time, follow Kafkacotton for more drawings, discounts, and goodies
Louisiana was pretty awesome except that my laptop was stolen in New Orleans! That cut Mardi Gras short for me so Gregor’s first video is coming to you from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Great college campus!
Gregor decided to investigate Louisiana’s “voodoo” thing while infesting a local restaurant or two:
Funny note:
We tried the first gag on a few restaurants – one of them was a Greek place and the guys were too friendly so it wasn’t funny. While we were standing outside figuring out where to go next, a group of guys walked past and one called out, “What’s going on? Does this place have roaches?” Kidding around I say, “Yah, zis place is veally dirty – don’t eat here!” to which he replied rather coolly, “That’s my restaurant, man.” We shuffled away.
Gregor is doing an awesome job of bringing attention to illiteracy. In Mississippi, he was on CBS’ 10 o’clock news and in the student paper. Check em out!
CBS News
FYI, the video looks terrible because I had to record this live. Being on a sleeping-in-your-minivan road trip, I don’t have a TV. But sub sandwich shops do … and loud ice machines.
Student Printz
I think Gregor might have also been in the Hattiesburg American newspaper. I went to the library to look for the back editions but they were missing. Any SMU folk notice a large cockroach in there?
Gregor had an awesome time at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. He made it over to Leatha’s Bar-B-Que Inn and was appropriately wowed - definitely check this place out if you’re within 50 miles or so.
Video: “Who Dat?” No, really.
USM Drawing Winners
Over 200 people entered the drawing at USM – the largest number so far! Here are the lucky winners of the three free Kafkacotton shirts:
Stephen Ambrosier
Katherine Quin
Whitney Moore
Congrats – if you’re a winner, check your inbox for a note from me with details! If you weren’t a winner this time, be sure to follow Kafkacotton for more discounts and drawings.
Here’s Gregor’s final update from the orange state. He mostly discusses (American) football and the rampant homosexuality the sport is known for.
And the Winners!
Over 200 FSU students entered the drawing for 5 free Kafkacotton shirts. We also had a few people retweet a specific tweet from @Kafkacotton which also counted as an entry. The winners are:
Lasonya Rodgers
David Grimes
Alanna Viau-Gourdin
Ashley Bittle
Floridel Jimenez
Congrats! If you didn’t win this time, follow Kafkacotton for more giveaways and discounts (and Gregors).
The folks from CBS WCTV and the FSView & Florida Flambeau came out to say hi to Gregor on Wednesday. Who else is proud of our faithful cockroach?
CBS News
FSView – Front Page!
The article is also online here and there’s a cool photo gallery here.
It’s great to see people are taking notice of Gregor’s mission to visit 48 states in 48 weeks. Nudging people to think about illiteracy and support socially responsible products like Kafkacotton is important work.
As always, you can follow Gregor around the country by hopping on our newsletter, becoming a Facebook fan, following us on Twitter, or grabbing our RSS feed.
Next stop, the University of Southern Mississippi this Monday!
Gregor’s in the Florida capital at Florida State University. It’s a great city – not too big and still has a distinct, historic feel. And it’s warm – can’t understate that.
Check out the first video from Tallahassee where Gregor talks about J.D. Salinger’s death plus a bit about trippy pizza, Kafka on the moon, dodging cars, and Gregor being (repeatedly) shot down.
He’ll be traveling around the whole US in 2010 – look for him in your city! He’s out to raise illiteracy awareness and put great books on the peoples’ chests. First up:
Feb 1-3 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL
Feb 8-10 | University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, MS
Feb 15-17 | Louisiana State University | Baton Rouge, LA
He may look funny but, well – yah – he just looks funny.
